NASA and NOAA frequently monitor such CMEs, as they could lead to problems for astronauts and communications satellites. They may also affect navigation and the power grid.

The solar flare that occurred late Sunday night was rated an M9-class eruption, almost an X-class flare, the most powerful type of solar flare.

The massive flare led to the largest radiation storm the planet has seen 2005, one still only described as a G3.

NOAA measures geomagnetic storms on a five-point scale from 1 to 5. G1 storms are minor while G5 storms can be extreme, leading to widespread electrical issues, damage to transformers, radio outages, and even satellite problems.

NOAA warned of geomagnetic storms today as well. They could be as strong as G3, leading to intermittent navigation issues and problems with low-flying satellites.

The sun’s activity increases and decreases on an 11-year cycle. Right now, activity during Solar Cycle 24 is expected to increase toward “solar maximum” in 2013.